Suction cleaner



Patented July 18, 1933 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE WILLIAK KITTO, OF CANTON, OHIO, ASSIGNOR T THE HOOVER COMPANY, 0F NORTH CANTON, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO SUCTION CLEANER Application lled October 22, 1931. Serial N'o. 570,283.

The present invention relates to suction cleaners in general and in particular to a new and novel construction in a suction cleaner comprising an improved motor bottom plate which also functions as the top of the fan chamber. More specifically. the invention comprises the provision, in a suction cleaner, of a motor bottom-plate which is so shaped and designed that it functions, in combination with the driving motor and the suctioncreating fan, as the motor-frame-seating means and as a bearing-protection means.

.Tt is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved suction cleaner construction. A further Objectis the provision of a new and novel combination motor bottom plate and fan chamber wall in a suction cleaner. Still another object is the provision, in a' suction cleaner, of motorbearing-protecting means comprising a labyrinth formed by the cooperation of the motor bottom plate and the suction-creating fan. A still further object is the provision, in a suction cleaner, of a motor bottom plate which is so shaped that it provides a seat for the motor frame and also cooperates with the suction-creating fan in the provision of bearing-protecting means. These and other more specific objects will appear upon reading the following specification and claim and upon considering in connection therewith the attached drawing to which they relate.

In the drawing, in which a preferred embodiment of the present invention is disclosed: l

Figure 1 is a side view, partially broken away and shown in section, of a suction cleaner embodying the present invention.

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the combination motor bottom plate and fan chamber wall which forms a part of the present invention.

Figure 3 is a section taken upon the line 3-3 of Figure 2.

In the drawing, in which the same reference characters refer to the same parts throughout, a modern suction cleaner is disclosed 'which comprises a main body or casing 1,

which is so shaped and formedas to provide 50 a nozzle 2, a fan chamber 3, which is open at its top and which is interiorly connected with the nozzle 2 by means of the air passageway 4, and an exhaust outletto which is secured, by suitable means 6, a dust bag 7. Attached to the main body 1 are front supporting wheels, one of whichv is shown and indicated by the reference character 8, and rear supporting wheels 9, only one of which is shown, the latter being provided with heightadjusting means 10 whose function it is to raise and lower the rear wheels relative to the body of the cleaner in order to raise and lower the nozzle 2l relative to the supporting covering through pivoting the body about the front wheels as an axis. 65

The upper face of the fan chamber 3 is open, as before stated, the'opening being described by theA flange 11. To this flange is secured the plate or wall 12, there being provided suitable screws 13 to perform the secur- 70 ing function and there also being a gasket 14. positioned between the said bottom plate 12 and the flange 11 to prevent the leakage of air from the kfan chamber therebetween. Plate 12 is shaped in a very definite manner for a specific purpose and is kprovided centrally with an opening 15 which is adapted to receive the lower bearing 16 of the suction cleaner motor, the latter being indicated enerally in the drawing by the reference c aracter 17. Bearing 16 comprises 4an outer casing having a flange which is secured to plate 12 at points surrounding the opening 15 by means of screws 18, 18 etc. The motor shaft, indicated in the drawing by the reference character 19, is carried by the bearing 16 and extends through the plate 12 into the fan chamber 3 where it carries the suction-creating fan 20, which comprises the spaced blades 21, 21 mounted upon a back 22.

The back 22 of the fan 20 is shaped in a new and novel manner, its peripheral edge being formed with a circular flange or rim 23 which extends parallel to the motor shaft 19. The fan 20 is mounted upon the shaft 19 in such a relationship that the upwardly exa A tending flange 23 extends upwardly through p the normal plane of the motor bottom plate 12 and between the sides of the circular groove or channel 24 which is formed in the ,100

plate. The outer side of the circular groove 24 performs an additional function in that it provides aseat for the stator frame 25' of the motor 17. Frame 25 has a dimension which is exactly equal to the outer diameter of the channel 24, and, through its enclosing relationship to said channel is prevented from possible displacement. ecuring screws, indicated by the reference characters 26, 26 function to prevent the separation of the motor frame 25 and the bottom plate 12.

The entire motor construction above the bottom plate 12 is enclosed by an outer motor casing 27 which conceals the interior of the machinev and enhances the beauty of the entire construction. Motor casing 27 is also secured to circular flange 11 of the fan chamber 3 by the same screws 13 which secure the bottom plate 12.

In the operation of a suction cleaner constructed in accordance with the present invention, the following takes place. The rotation of the motor 17 results in the creation of the reduced pressure in the fan chamber 3 at the center of the rotating-suction-creating fan 20. Air is drawn from the suction cleaner nozzle 2 through the air passageway 4, and into the fan chamber 3 at the low pressure point. The fan 20 functions to create a high pressure at its periphery and the air which is drawn from the nozzle is exhausted at the periphery of the fan and passes throu h the exhaust outlet 5 and into the dust bag It is an inherent characteris- 'tic of the fan in its operationthat the pressure at the periphery of the said fan is higher than at the center thereof. This being the case under normal conditions there is atendencg' for air to be forced back from the perip ery ofthe fan between the fan back 22 and the plate 12. This action would be of no consequence were it not for the fact that the air which is so directed is laden with foreign matter which has been vdrawn through the suction nozzle of the machine. The result of such action in the usual suction cleaner is that foreign material is carried to the motor bearing 16 and is there deposited, resulting in a decrease in the life of that member. With the motor bottom plate 12 and the back 22 of the suction fan constructed in accord# ance with the present invention, namely, with a circular channel 24 in the -bottom plate and a. peripheral rim or flange 23 upon the fan, this undesirable passage of dirt-laden air to the bearing is eliminated. The rim 23 extends within the channel 24 in relatively close circular channel concentric therewith and open to said chamber, a motor frame mounted on said wall and seating about said channel, a bearing mounted in the openingin said wall, a driving shaft mounted in'said bearing and extending into said chamber, a fan carried by said shaft in said chamber, said fan being formed with afcircu'lar rim at its periphery extended into the channel in said wall for the purpose of protecting said bearing.

WILLlAM H. KITTO.

-said chamber and having an opening and a v 

